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The Colombo Additional Magistrate’s Court has ordered a Government Analyst to verify the safety of whitening creams produced and sold by a company owned by Sri Lankan model Piumi Hansamali, media sources report.

The directive, issued yesterday (15) by Colombo Additional Magistrate Nuwan Kaushalya, was sent to the Department of Criminal Investigation’s Illegal Assets and Intellectual Property Investigations Division. The court has requested the analyst’s report to determine whether the creams are safe for human use.

This follows a formal request from the department itself, which is probing the cosmetic products for possible health concerns.

In a separate but related investigation, authorities have begun scrutinizing Hansamali’s assets amid allegations that she acquired wealth exceeding her declared income. The inquiries reportedly focus on high-value possessions, including a Range Rover valued at Rs 80 million—previously owned by a former President—a Colombo 7 residence worth Rs 148 million, and 19 bank accounts linked to Hansamali.

The probe into Hansamali’s financial holdings was initiated after a complaint lodged by civil society activist Sanjaya.

• Getting enough high-quality sleep is essential for health and wellbeing but how do we know whether the sleep we are getting is meeting our needs?
• Now, a study has identified five distinct sleep profiles, linking brain activity and sleep quality with a number of different health and lifestyle outcomes.
• The researchers suggest that sleep profiles are linked to not only health and behavior, but also to the wiring and activity of the brain.

Do you have trouble falling asleep, or waking frequently during the night? It could be because of how your brain is wired, and may be affecting your mental and physical health, according to new research.

A study conducted by researchers in Canada and Singapore, using patient-reported sleep, health and lifestyle factors, as well as brain imaging, has identified five distinct sleep profiles.

The research, published in PLOS Biology, found that each of the profiles showed unique patterns of brain network organization, and was linked to different mental and physical health traits.

Valeria Kebets, PhD, co-first author of this study, who is currently manager of machine learning projects at the Applied AI Institute, Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, told Medical News Today that:

“The most important finding of our study is that sleep is multi-dimensional, and some of the profiles show that specific aspects of sleep are related to mental health or cognitive performance in a distinct way.”

Linking sleep patterns to health factors The researchers analyzed data from 770 healthy adults aged between 22 and 36 years of age from the WU-Minn Human Connectome Project (HCP), a study investigating the relationship between human brain circuits and behavior.

All participants filled in questionnaires about their lifestyle, mental and physical health, personality and objective measures of physical health and cognition. They also completed sleep health questionnaires to define different dimensions of sleep, including duration, satisfaction and disturbances.

In addition to the self-reported questionnaires, participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to identify neural signatures of their sleep profiles.

The researchers outlined their objective, saying that: “[I]n this study, we sought to take a multidimensional data-driven approach to identify sleep-biopsychosocial profiles that simultaneously relate self-reported sleep patterns to biopsychosocial factors of health, cognition, and lifestyle in the [healthcare professional] cohort of healthy young adults. We further explored patterns of brain network organization associated with each profile to better understand their neurobiological underpinnings.”

5 distinct sleep profiles related to mental and physical health traits

The researchers identified 5 profiles related to 118 biopsychosocial measures — spanning cognitive performance, physical and mental health, personality traits, affects, substance use, and demographics — as follows:

• Profile 1: generally poor sleep, with decreased sleep satisfaction, longer time to fall asleep, more sleep disturbances, and daytime impairment. This was linked to depression, anxiety, somatic complaints, internalizing behavior, fear, anger, and stress.
• Profile 2: higher complaints of daytime impairment without complaints of sleep difficulties, suggesting sleep resilience, linked to attentional problems, such as inattention, ADHD, low conscientiousness, fear, anger and stress.
• Profile 3: mostly characterized by the use of sleep medication. This was linked to worse performance in visual episodic memory and emotional recognition, but also to satisfaction in social relationships.
• Profile 4: insufficient duration of sleep (less than 6–7 hours per night), which was associated with worse accuracy and longer reaction time at multiple cognitive tasks, delayed reward discounting, language, fluid intelligence, and social cognition, as well as more aggressive behavior and lower agreeableness.
• Profile 5: sleep disturbances, such as multiple awakenings, nocturia (waking frequently to urinate), and breathing issues, as well as pain or temperature imbalance. This group tended to show aggressive behavior, worse cognitive performance, anxiety, thought problems and internalisation, and substance abuse. Kebets outlined the potential clinical significance of their findings, saying that:

 “The five profiles were found in a sample of healthy young adults that didn’t have a psychiatric diagnosis or disabilities, suggesting that they could be used as a marker for the development of future issues, and they can guide tailored interventions.”

Brain network connections linked to sleep profiles Each profile was associated with a unique brain-network organization, having distinct patterns of network connectivity within the brain.

However, the researchers emphasize that further research is needed to clarify the relationships between the sleep profiles and brain network connectivity.

“We found some patterns of brain connectivity that were specific to each profile, but overall we observed dysfunctional connectivity patterns in the brain networks that are responsible for motor and visual functions,” Kebets told us.

How to get the best night’s sleep: Expert tips The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source advise that getting enough quality sleep is essential for health and wellbeing. People aged 18 and over should aim for at least 7 hours of sleep a night.

But how can you ensure that you get enough quality sleep?

Experts suggest the following may help:

• exercise regularly — try to get 20-30 minutes of exercise a day, but do not engage in intense exercise too close to bedtime
• ensure that your mattress is comfortable and supportive — if it is old or not a good fit for you, this can lead to sleep issues
• limit alcohol consumption at night — although it can make you fall asleep faster, it can disrupt your sleep patterns and increase waking, snoring, and even sleep apnea
• avoid large meals and beverages close to bedtime, as these can cause indigestion and a need to urinate, which will disturb sleep
• try to go to bed and wake up at around the same time each day
• make sure your bedroom is a comfortable environment for sleeping in — keeping it cool (60–70 degrees Fahrenheit) and dark will help your sleep
• take time to wind down before bedtime, by meditating, reading a book, taking a hot bath or shower, or listening to music.

“General advice would be to keep good sleep habits — e.g., limit using your phone in the hour before going to sleep, limit alcohol/drug use, and have a regular bed time. Regularity is really key,” Kebets also told us.

“Sleep is central to your daily functioning — your mental health, your ability to think properly and memorize things, your mood and behavior. Don’t hesitate to talk about your sleep complaints (short sleep duration, sleep awakenings, long sleep latency, etc.) to your [family doctor] to have appropriate advice on the intervention that could help your specific issue.”

— Valeria Kebets, PhD

(Source - medicalnewstoday)

Battling Migraines: Expert Tips on Understanding and Preventing Headaches

We all want to stay healthy, but in today’s fast-paced, competitive world, one common ailment affects countless people daily: headaches. For some, these headaches escalate into migraines—also known as “iruwārada”—bringing intense pain and discomfort.

Neurologist Dr. Padma S. Gunaratne told BBC Sinhala that migraines affect over a billion people worldwide, making it one of the most widespread neurological disorders.

What is a Migraine? Migraines are more than just ordinary headaches. They often come with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound. While some headaches are simple and short-lived, migraines can be prolonged and debilitating. Doctors classify migraines as neurological disorders and carefully examine patients to rule out other underlying conditions.

Many migraine sufferers experience tension headaches triggered by stress, with women being disproportionately affected. Migraines can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours, and in some cases, even longer. While anyone can develop migraines, they are most common among middle-aged women.

What Causes Migraines? According to Dr. Gunaratne, migraines often result from everyday habits and lifestyle factors:

• Stress: High-stress levels make migraines more likely to occur.
• Poor Sleep: Inconsistent or insufficient sleep increases migraine risk.
• Diet: Certain foods like coffee, chocolate, cheese, and highly processed foods can trigger migraines.
• Dehydration: Not drinking enough water may provoke attacks.
• Hormonal Changes & Weather: Women may experience migraines linked to their menstrual cycle or shifts in climate.

Some patients even experience warning signs before a migraine—known as “migraine with aura.” Symptoms may include temporary visual disturbances, flashing lights, or blurred vision, typically lasting 15 minutes to an hour.

5 Daily Habits to Prevent Migraines Dr. Gunaratne emphasizes that alongside medical treatment, simple daily habits can significantly reduce migraine frequency and severity. Here are five expert-recommended routines:

• Prioritize Good Sleep: Ensure at least 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. Irregular sleep patterns can trigger migraines, especially in those already prone to them.

• Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can be a major trigger. Drink sufficient water throughout the day to maintain optimal hydration.

• Eat Balanced Meals: Never skip breakfast. Consuming healthy, regular meals helps prevent drops in blood sugar that may trigger migraine attacks.

• Manage Stress: Plan your day in advance and focus on tasks you can realistically accomplish. Incorporate stress-relieving activities like exercise or mindfulness to keep tension levels in check.

• Avoid Trigger Foods: Limit or eliminate caffeine, chocolate, cheese, and foods high in sugar or fat.

A Word of Caution: Dr. Gunaratne also warns against overusing painkillers. Relying too heavily on medication can reduce its effectiveness over time. Instead, preventive lifestyle changes combined with proper medical guidance are the key to long-term relief.

By adopting these habits, migraine sufferers can take meaningful steps toward controlling their condition, improving daily life, and reducing the intensity of future attacks.

“I always felt that one day, Olagala Sir would come and arrest me,” said Ishara Sewwandi after her arrest in Nepal. “For seven months I was trapped there. I was tired of hiding. I even thought it would be easier to go back to Sri Lanka. But I knew I’d be arrested if I returned, so I stayed.”

Sewwandi, believed to be the main planner behind the murder of underworld leader Ganemulla Sanjeewa, was arrested on October 13 while hiding in a luxury house in the Thimi Park area of Bhaktapur, near Kathmandu. Four other people, including members of the underworld, were also arrested with her.

Gampaha Baba - Nugegoda Babee - Jaffna Suresh

The Operation

The arrest came after a three-day joint operation in Nepal, led by ASP Rohan Olagala of the Peliyagoda Crimes Division and Inspector Gihan de Silva of the Criminal Investigation Department. The mission was carried out with the help of Nepal Police , under the supervision of IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya and Senior DIG Asanka Karawita.

Information provided by underworld figure Kehelbaddara Padme, who was earlier arrested, helped police find out where Sewwandi was hiding. Olagala and de Silva travelled to Kathmandu, met Nepalese officials, and planned the raid. They stayed in a house next door to Sewwandi’s hideout and started surveillance.

Their first arrest was Kennedy Bastianpillai, also known as “J.K. Bai”, who had helped Sewwandi escape from Sri Lanka. He had taken her by boat to India and then by train to Nepal, arranging her stay in a rented luxury home.

J.K. Bai

The Arrest Moment

When police finally entered the house, Sewwandi was shocked to see ASP Olagala. She sighed deeply and said, “Olagala Sir…” He replied calmly, “Ah, how have you been?” before arresting her with the help of a female Nepalese officer.

During questioning, Sewwandi revealed details about other members of Padme’s gang hiding in Kathmandu. Police later arrested three more suspects, including a woman named Thakshi from Chavakachcheri, who looked very similar to Sewwandi. Investigations showed that Sewwandi had planned to flee to Europe using a fake passport made under Thakshi’s name.

        Duplicate Sewwandi

Life on the Run

Police investigations revealed that after the February 19 killing of Ganemulla Sanjeewa inside the Colombo Court Complex, Sewwandi had gone into hiding in several areas—Colombo, Matugama, and Middeniya. She was suspected to have received help from underworld figure Sampath Manampeiri during this time.

Later, J.K. Bai helped her escape to India by boat, and then took her to Nepal by train, where he used his contacts to arrange a safe house.

Padme’s underworld gang had funded the entire escape. But after Padme himself was arrested in Indonesia, Sewwandi’s plans began to fall apart.

The Courtroom Killing

The murder of Ganemulla Sanjeewa, a well-known organized crime leader, took place inside the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. The attack was ordered by Kehelbaddara Padme and carried out by Commando Salindu, a former army soldier turned hitman. Salindu entered the court disguised as a lawyer and opened fire on Sanjeewa. Sewwandi, who was also disguised as a female lawyer, coordinated the local part of the plan.

After the shooting, Salindu was caught while trying to flee, but Sewwandi escaped and disappeared—until her arrest in Nepal seven months later.

The End of the Escape

Now, Ishara Sewwandi and her group are being held by Nepal Police, awaiting extradition to Sri Lanka. Her long escape ended just as she had once predicted.

“I always knew Olagala Sir would find me,” she had said — and he finally did.

The United National Party (UNP) has appointed a three-member committee to engage in discussions with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the party announced in a statement issued today (16).

The committee includes UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, UNP General Secretary Attorney-at-Law Thalatha Athukorala, and President’s Counsel Roland Perera.

Reaffirming its long-standing commitment, the UNP emphasized that its position remains clear — to bring all political parties together on a single platform to safeguard Sri Lanka’s democratic, multi-party system.

The appointment of this committee comes as a response to the SJB’s initiative, which recently formed a four-member team tasked with exploring the possibility of working collaboratively with the UNP.

That SJB committee comprises Kabir Hashim, S. M. Marikkar, Mujibur Rahuman, and Eran Wickramaratne, as previously announced by the Opposition’s Chief Organizer and SJB MP Gayantha Karunathilaka.

According to Karunathilaka, the SJB committee has been mandated to develop a proposal outlining potential avenues for cooperation with the UNP and to present it to SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa. This decision was reached during last week’s SJB Management Committee meeting, which unanimously agreed to explore ways of uniting the two parties while maintaining their individual identities.

He further noted that the SJB’s Executive Committee, having also approved the plan, endorsed the move for the SJB — as the main opposition — to take the lead in initiating structured cooperation with the UNP.

In essence, both parties now appear to be taking careful, coordinated steps toward exploring a potential political partnership, one built on shared democratic values and mutual respect for each other’s independence.

The Cabinet has approved the temporary import of up to 520 metric tonnes of Ponni Samba rice per importer without permits, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said.

The decision comes amid a shortage of Keeri Samba rice in the local market, with vendors reportedly selling it above the government’s control price. Ponni Samba GR 11, considered a close substitute, will be allowed for import to stabilize supply, the Minister said.

Minister Jayatissa noted that Sri Lanka consumes approximately 2.46 million metric tonnes of rice annually, with Keeri Samba accounting for about 10% of that total—around 246,000 metric tonnes.

Importation of Ponni Samba rice will be permitted from October 15 to November 15, 2025.

Responding to concerns that the import should be allowed much earlier, the Minister said that the decision was reached based on the harvesting patterns and market factors.

OpenAI plans to allow a wider range of content, including erotica, on its popular chatbot ChatGPT as part of its push to "treat adult users like adults", says its boss Sam Altman.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Mr Altman said upcoming versions of the popular chatbot would enable it to behave in a more human-like way - "but only if you want it, not because we are usage maxxing".

The move, reminiscent of Elon Musk's xAI's recent introduction of two sexually explicit chatbots to Grok, could help OpenAI attract more paying subscribers.

It is also likely to intensify pressure on lawmakers to introduce tighter restrictions on chatbot companions.

OpenAI did not respond to the BBC's requests for comment.

Mr Altman said OpenAI had previously made ChatGPT "pretty restrictive to make sure we were being careful with mental health issues".

These changes were announced in a blog post in August, which no longer appears on OpenAI's website.

"We realise this made it less useful/enjoyable to many users who had no mental health problems, but given the seriousness of the issue we wanted to get this right," Mr Altman posted on Tuesday.

He said ChatGPT could soon relax the restrictions "now that we have been able to mitigate the serious mental health issues and have new tools".

He added: "In December, as we roll out age-gating more fully and as part of our 'treat adult users like adults' principle, we will allow even more, like erotica for verified adults."

The changes come after OpenAI was sued earlier this year by parents of a US teen who took his own life.

The lawsuit filed by Matt and Maria Raine, who are the parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine, was the first legal action accusing OpenAI of wrongful death.

The family included chat logs between Adam, who died in April, and ChatGPT that show him explaining he has suicidal thoughts.

In a statement given at the time, OpenAI told the BBC it was reviewing the filing.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the Raine family during this difficult time," the company said.

Child safety concerns Written erotica does not require age verification in the UK under the Online Safety Act.

However, pornographic images, including those generated by AI, would require users to prove they are over 18.

In the US, critics say OpenAI's decision to allow erotica on the platform shows the need for more regulation at the federal and state levels.

"How are they going to make sure that children are not able to access the portions of ChatGPT that are adult-only and provide erotica?" said Jenny Kim, a partner at the law firm Boies Schiller Flexner.

Ms Kim is involved in a lawsuit against Meta that claims the company's Instagram's algorithm harms the mental health of teen users.

"OpenAI, like most of big tech in this space, is just using people like guinea pigs," she said.

In April, TechCrunch reported that OpenAI was allowing accounts in which a user had registered as a minor to generate graphic erotica.

OpenAI said at the time that the company was rolling out a fix to limit such content.

A survey published this month by the nonprofit Centre for Democracy and Technology (CDT) found that one in five students report that they or someone they know has had a romantic relationship with AI.

On Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill passed by the state legislature that would have blocked developers from offering AI chatbots companions to children unless the companies could guarantee the software wouldn't breed harmful behaviour.

Newsom said it was "imperative that adolescents learn how to safely interact with AI systems" in a message that accompanied his veto.

At the nationwide level, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an inquiry into how AI chatbots interact with children.

In the US Senate last month, bipartisan legislation was introduced that would chatbot users to file liability claims against their developers.

Why introduce erotica? Mr Altman's announcement on Tuesday comes as sceptics have been questioning the rapid rise in the value of AI tech companies.

OpenAI's revenue is growing, but it has never been profitable.

Tulane University business professor Rob Lalka, author of The Venture Alchemists, said the major AI companies find themselves in a battle for market share.

"No company has ever had the kind of adoption that OpenAI saw with ChatGPT," Prof Lalka told BBC News.

"They needed to continue to push along that exponential growth curve, achieving market domination as much as they can," he added.

(Source - BBC)

Former Navy Commander Nishantha Ulugetenne, who had been held in remand custody in connection with a 2010 abduction and murder case, was released on bail today following his appearance before the Kurunegala High Court.

Ulugetenne was arrested over his alleged involvement in the abduction and subsequent killing of a man in the Pothuhera area in 2010.

Vice Chairman of China’s Sinopec Group, Lv Lianggong, assured Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, that construction of the new oil refinery in Hambantota will begin without delay. The pledge came during a meeting held at the ministry in Colombo today.

The proposed project, estimated at USD 3.7 billion, is expected to produce up to 200,000 barrels per day once operational. Lv Lianggong led a 10-member delegation to discuss the project’s progress and unresolved issues related to its implementation.

Lv Lianggong said support from Minister Herath had helped resolve many long-standing challenges. As a result, the project agreement was signed in January. He also outlined remaining concerns that need to be addressed and requested the minister’s intervention to ensure swift resolution, citing the importance of the project to both countries.

Minister Herath agreed to personally intervene to resolve pending issues promptly, highlighting the positive impact of foreign investment on Sri Lanka’s economy. Both parties committed to commencing the project without further delay.

The Sinopec delegation is also scheduled to meet with the Ministry of Power and Energy, the Board of Investment, and other relevant agencies today.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is on an official visit to the People’s Republic of China, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, in Beijing.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed the Government of Sri Lanka’s appreciation to China for the invitation to participate in the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women 2025 and for the warm hospitality extended to the Sri Lankan delegation. She extended good wishes on the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and noted that her first visit to China as Prime Minister provides an opportunity to further strengthen the close and friendly relations between the two countries, including in trade, investment, tourism, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

The Prime Minister acknowledged China’s role as a key driver of the global economy and innovation, and as a partner in poverty reduction, infrastructure development, human-capital development, and international cooperation. She outlined Sri Lanka’s vision “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life” and briefed the Premier on national priorities to eradicate poverty, foster sustainability, advance digital transformation, and promote ethical governance, including the Clean Sri Lanka programme launched in January 2025.

On economic cooperation, the Prime Minister briefed the Premier on Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic stabilisation and growth trajectory, including recent progress in debt restructuring with the members of the Official Creditor Committee, and expressed appreciation for China’s constructive support. She welcomed continued cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, highlighting China’s role as a major development partner and noting ongoing and proposed projects that contribute to national and regional connectivity and socio-economic development. The Prime Minister outlined opportunities for enhanced trade and investment, including Sri Lanka’s proposal to establish a Packaging Hub in Hambantota under investment or public-private partnership modalities; potential cooperation to strengthen industrial development and follow-up to the May 2025 MoU on Industrial and Supply Chain Cooperation. She also discussed measures to facilitate inputs for domestic production, including fertilizer supplies, and explored avenues to support Sri Lanka’s precious stones and jewellery sector in the Chinese market.

Further areas of collaboration in the education sector were discussed, including smart classrooms, scholarships, specialised master’s programmes for public officials, and donations of school-uniform material. Cooperation in agriculture, tourism, defence, and health was also covered. Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to advancing women’s rights and gender equality, expressing continued support for the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and highlighting national efforts to promote women’s leadership, empowerment, equal opportunity, and protection from violence.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

2025.10.14

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is scheduled to leave for India tomorrow (October 16) on an official visit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism announced.

The Prime Minister’s visit will span October 16 to 18, during which she is expected to engage in a series of high-level discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other senior officials.

During her visit, Dr. Amarasuriya will also deliver a keynote address at the NDTV Global Summit organized by NDTV and the Chintan Research Foundation on October 17. Her address will focus on the theme “Managing Disruptions in Uncertain Times,” reflecting Sri Lanka’s perspective on resilience and regional cooperation amid global challenges.

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has refuted claims linking him to a building near the Menik Ganga in Kataragama, insisting that he does not own the property.

In a statement, Rajapaksa said certain media reports had falsely attributed ownership to him, despite a prior CID investigation confirming otherwise. He clarified that his name appeared only because an application for an electricity connection was submitted under “G. Rajapaksha” with an unclear signature.

The former President stressed that he has never had any interest in owning or maintaining property in Kataragama.

The property, located on Government reservation land, features a 12-room building reportedly constructed before 2010 with the help of military personnel. Investigations also revealed that a Navy officer previously assigned to Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, had been occupying the premises.